I have noticed I get random twitches/spasms (legs, shoulders, arms, feet, hands, etc) which can be very "strong".  Not sure if strong is a good way to describe them.  I take 150mg of Effexor and 300mg of Wellbutrin.  I am wondering if its the drugs that are causing these twitches.  If anyone else is experiencing the same thing I am could you please email me.  I would really appreciate it.  My email address is dooteetime@aol.com.   Thank you.  

I too am beginning to think that the best way to address anxiety/depression is to talk to a pyschologist and really find out the root(s) of the problem.  I guess I dont want to just "mask" my problems with drugs but want to cure them and learn how to deal with them head on.   (Tue Apr 4 19:20 2006)

I took Wellbutrin with Celexa to help control weight gain, but it didn't help. Wellbutrin made me really tired in the morning and I stayed up real late. It helped a bit with sexual side effects, but not really.

Now I'm completely off of anything for the last 2 weeks and I feel good. I've been cutting all my doses in half for the last 3 months gradually. I was on anti- depressants off and on for 3 years. This time I have come off all of them and I feel fine, like the feelings of darkness and fear are gone.

To get through the depression/anxiety has taken a lot of work and prayer. It's something that isn't going to go away unless we face it, go to counseling, journal and stay connected with what we're really feeling and asking for prayer. There is a way through it, meds help keep us sane and out of the hospital, but it shouldn't be used to keep us in a numb state.      (Thu Mar 30 21:45 2006)

taking wellburtrin with prozac, having difficulty with sleep, ability to relax.
on wellbutrin for only two weeks, no weight loss noted, but a decrease in the desire to
smoke has been noted.   (Tue Mar 28 23:19 2006)

Wow Susan. I never really gave this much thought. I have really been unmotivated myself.
For me, I believe this drug has had the opposite effect that it is supposed to have.
I've been told that this drug is not that hard to wean off of. That gives me some hope. I remember trying to get off Effexor and it was hard!
... and the beat goes on!   (Mon Mar 27 9:51 2006)

Just ran across this site...I've been on Wellbutrin for 2 yrs, and at first it helped me not feel so "blue", and I felt better, but now I feel like I don't care about socializing, that going out with my friends, I'd much rather just nap on my couch. Is this crazy? I'm not really depressed, I'm afraid this med is making me apathetic toward life - nothing excites me or makes me motivated. I'd like to try going off it, but am terrified of the side effects.   (Mon Mar 27 6:04 2006)

Mary, I am 48 yrs old and had a complete hysto Oct 2004. Bam! right into menopause. Between hormonal inbalances and different medications I don't know if my memory loss is due to menopause or meds. The main reason I was put on Wellbrutrin was for my memory. I don't think it's helped. But I hear you on memory. I have the same problem.    (Sun Mar 26 12:08 2006)

I have also been on Wellbutrin XL for approximately 2 years now.  About a year ago I noticed slight memory loss which I shrugged off as your typical "aging" memory loss.  Within this last year my memory loss has increased 90%.  Almost every question someone asks me starts with "I don't remember".  I can be talking about something but can't remember the facts.  For example I can be talking about a sale at the store but not remember what I paid for the item.  My kids are frustrated with me because I constantly forget the times of appointments and parties.  I have a really hard time focusing on what I'm saying during a conversation with someone.  It's really getting scarry.  I am convinced it is the Wellbutrin so I've been doing research on the web.  Is anyone else out there having this kind of severe memory loss.  PLEASE HELP!   (Sat Mar 25 23:38 2006)

I just found this forum. I've been on Wellbrutrin for the 2nd time around. 1st time I felt fantastic the first few days & then BOOM. Cry at the drop of a hat and weight gain. I stopped taking it. The Dr. put me back on it in January/06 and in the first week or two felt fantastic and then back downhill.  I am having panic attacks, dizziness, HUGE weight gain. It causes me to be tired also. I have to say it has increased my sexual desire. I've gained probably 20 pounds. Everyone tells me it's a stimulant and is used for weight loss. Not for me! Anyone else had these same experiences? My doctor put me on wellbrutrin for concentration. I am also on Nortrpyline and clonazapam.
   (Sat Mar 25 17:05 2006)

I was severely bipolar and consuming a lot of booze, cigs, and coffee. I was waking up every morning completely hungover, then drinking 1/2 pot of coffee and smoking 10 cigs before I could even leave the house. Throughout the day I'd go up and down from extreme stress to mania to panic attacks to suicidal thoughts, all the while sucking down cigs until finally I could go home and get smashed on 2+ bottles of wine every night (and smoking another pack of cigs) just to get to sleep.

I tried on my own but couldn't quit anything or get my moods stable for more than a couple days before relapsing. I started seeing a few different docs over the course of 2 yrs. At first dxed depressed and put on paxil, then lexapro, then an anticonvulsant, then abilify - none helped at all and most had horrible side effects.

Suspecting that the doctors were inept, i took it upon myself to research my condition and all the available drugs. I quickly learned about the role of dopamine in addictive behaviors of all sorts (not just nicotine but also cocaine and even behavioral habits), plus the high comorbidity of alcoholism/smoking and bipolar disorder. This suggested to me that the substances could be AMPLIFYING manic depression, as opposed to being a symptom of it, or just coincidence.  

The unique action of Wellbutrin is that it affects dopamine as opposed to seratonin (which is what most antidepressants target). This suggested to me that this was the right drug that would "break the circle" that kept me in the cycle of addiction and mood swings. I asked my doc to put me on wellbutrin. Started on 75mg once daily then upped to 150SR (generic bupropion) twice daily.

The effect was remarkable. Within only 2-3 days the urge to drink was turned off LIKE A LIGHT SWITCH. A few days later cigarettes started tasting not so great. I started feeling less stressed, and decided I could probably quit, so i did. There were a couple slips at the beginning but after a week of getting through the withdrawal (I won't say that was comfortable) I am now smoke free.

Been on wellbutrin for about 1 month now. Also taking 25mg seroquel for sleep. To think one month ago I was a heavy drinker and smoking 2 packs a day, and today I am lifting weights and can run 5-7 miles no problems.

Only down-side is I am sleeping a bit much - 10hrs/day or so. This may be because i'm overdoing it on the exercise or it may be that i should stop taking seroquel now the bipolar symptoms are going away. Anyway a little lethargy is a small price to pay for the MASSIVE improvement in mental and physical health that I've experienced.

YMMV but wellbutrin has been a miracle for me. Talk to your doc if you're having the same symptoms I described, and do some research on dopamine and associated disorders.   (Fri Mar 24 15:28 2006)

I just wanted to add a quick note to jeanna, sorry for the delay, I've been out of state visiting family. The only certain thing I can say about Wellbutrin is I don't think that it's a med that really masks how you feel and it makes you feel good all of the time. I was on celexa for sometime and I still remember the day that it seemed to finally kick in- from that day on I was just like whatever, and I didn't let things get to me as much, I stopped the med because of the sexual side effects. With the wellbutrin like many claim, you seem to have MORE highs and lows, it's really strange. My doc. actually uped my dose to 300mg, so we shall see what that does. I still get my spurts of energy as I did in the begining, and I have lost 10 lbs since I started taking the med. Good luck!!   (Fri Mar 24 10:26 2006)

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I have just stopped taking antidepressants after 10 years of this shit. They all really suck. Some of you may think I'm crazy, I'm just angry with the experimentation that my shrinks have put me through and the really bad side effects. Just stopped taking Cymbalta and it is one of the worse antid's to come off. Had weaned down from 60mg and the slow weaning still didn't help. Am taking Klonopin to help take the edge off the Cymbalta withdrawal. It is helping. along the lines of Wellbutrin, I took Cymbalta and Wellbutrin XL 300mg daily to cover the bases in neurotransmitter land. I don't think taking Wellbutrin alone has been very helpful for me or others. I tried it, but my shrinks usally used Wellbutrin in combo with other antidepressants. Wellbutrin has shown to help with sexual dysfunction in men and women who also take SSRI's and have problems with orgasm, etc. The only thing I can say good about Wellbutrin is you can stop taking it cold turkey with no side-effects (at least I experienced none) and it has helped people stop smoking.    (Wed Mar 22 11:27 2006)

Forgot to mention - I have major depression; GAD   (Tue Mar 21 11:39 2006)

I have been on Wellbutrin for about three years, along with trazadone and ativan at night. This combination has worked very well until recently.

I've been told it is not at all usual for Wellbutrin to stop working. But it certainly seems like it has! And I'm gaining, not losing weight like was. Has this happened to anyone?

I just started Sunday on Cymbalta, 30 mg. It's making me sleepy, but I'm functioning.
Has anyone had success with this combo?

Also, I don't think Wellbutrin affects memory, I think it is the trazadone and ativan.

   (Tue Mar 21 10:53 2006)

thanks shannon for the response yes i felt I was losing weight until the tegretol I eat and am still hungry. I asked about effexor and wellbutrin. They are the exact same class so the dr said it is redundant to take both. The side effects from the wellbutrin are almost worse than my ups n downs before. I am beginning to think I am Bipolar II. Have you read on it? Just because the anti-depressants really dont work. The setting off etc wouldnt be present if the drug was working in the first place. Thank you for the response tho!!!   (Mon Mar 20 17:41 2006)

thanks shannon for the response yes i felt I was losing weight until the tegretol I eat and am still hungry. I asked about effexor and wellbutrin. They are the exact same class so the dr said it is redundant to take both. The side effects from the wellbutrin are almost worse than my ups n downs before. I am beginning to think I am Bipolar II. Have you read on it? Just because the anti-depressants really dont work. The setting off etc wouldnt be present if the drug was working in the first place. Thank you for the response tho!!!   (Mon Mar 20 17:22 2006)

oh yeah, when i even went on anti-depressants in the first place i lost like 12 pounds in like 2-3 weeks.. and now i cant seem to keep weight on

anyone else?   (Mon Mar 20 16:45 2006)

hey jeff.. i dont have the burning but the twitching, oh yeah. also when i went on wellbutrin jeanna it curved my irritibility but  and i didnt feel the high so much because i was already on effexor, but that made me lethargic for a few days and then i went back to being really depressed. even now ive been on meds for over 2 years and still lil things set me off and make me want to go to my bed..

after about 3 weeks on wellbutrin and effexor though, 150 wellbutrin and 137.5 effexor, the wellbutrin kicked in and it was like a weight off my shoulder.. but now i think i hit a plateau again.. cause i still feel like shit and like nothing is worth the aggravation   (Mon Mar 20 16:43 2006)

I have entered something before and gotten no response. The internet all says the same. (a lot of nothing) The dr put me on tegradol (a drug for autism usually) it affects the part of your brain that the wellbutrin may not. I have noticed it curves the irritability on the bad days. I just am not really sure the wellbutrin helps. It seems there are sooo many ups n downs. I am really tired and tired of trying. I go back to dr tomorrow.  I would really like to target Jessica if I may. I have had exactly the same things happen to me as she. I would like to know about what happened after the 4 day high and then returning to the way you were. It seems the same happened to me. Does the irritability stop? It was a part of my depression in the first place and the reason I got on wellbutrin. I dont want it to also be a side effect. I notice that is what it is because it can come and go so quickly. That means its a side effect not a symptom. Do you have any advice for me? Right now I still have no real motivation to finish things etc. and I am just wanting to give up this stupid stuff. Please let me know timeline wise what all happened to you and ANY advice you may have before I go to doc tomorrow. Thank you    (Mon Mar 20 12:51 2006)

Did anyone have any of these side effects while on this medication (wellbutrin) or paxil??   (Mon Mar 20 8:18 2006)

hey guys, i have been depressed for several years now, though i was only diagnosed 2 years ago.. i was put on effexor but i dont know i was having these weird dreams about killing people and alot of other freaky things... my doc lowered it and about 10 months ago i reached a point where if we upped effexor from 150mg, i felt like shit then if we lowered it i felt like shit. so she put me on wellbutrin... SINCE BEING ON IT I'VE NOTICED:

1. My legs or arms will randomly twitch
2. i cant hold like a pencil steady for a long time

has anyone else experienced these? Its really weird. im 19 and dont want people to think im some sort of a freak cause i'll just twitch or what not

THANKS   (Sun Mar 19 16:42 2006)

Hey, thanks for writing back Jessica. Well, I'm already on day four of my Wellbutrin regimen, so I guess I will just wait and see what happens. If nothing happens I guess I will just ask the doc for advice. I start taking two a day now, so let's see how it goes. You feel any better now with the Wellbutrin?   (Tue Mar 14 14:39 2006)

Ruben, I was confused when I first started WB also because all I heard and read was that it was NOT supposed to be used to treat anxiety. I think it depends on the person, and of course how extreme the anxiety is. As you can read my earlier posts, I had just about every side effect from WB, including anxiety, imagine that... a medication given to you by a doctor to treat anxiety, you take it, and 4 days later you are worse off than before you started taking it. Although I must say the irritability has subsided. As far as the weight, I have shed a few pounds, and I have read in other posts (& not just on this site) that it has caused others to loose a small amount of weight, to a significant amount of weight. Again, it depends on the person. GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide to do!!   (Tue Mar 14 9:55 2006)

I am so sorry everyone has had so many problems with medication. I have been on paxil and had the weight gain and no sex drive. I then switched to Celexa. It has been great for my anxiety/depression. Yet, I gained weight again. I tried Wellbutrin with Celexa (a SSRI) and I became exhausted.
I lowered my dosage on Celexa and I felt better. Also, I realized how I had no emotions and it was easy to slip into denial. At this point, I'm only on Celexa and want to come off completely. I'm going to come off tomorrow. Pray for me!

One successful alternative to medication I've experienced personally is journaling, not to myself, but to God. It's so easy to get trapped into introspection and get focused on self problems. It's important to know that we are never alone. Also, if this is difficult because you don't believe in God or think He is hateful, pray that He would reveal who he truly is. Alot of times we have false concepts of who God is, especially if we have known an authority who was evil towards us, or judgemental, critical, etc. The key is to be honest with God and journal or talk as if He really is listening. [Start with the thought that if He is really there, what would you say to him. And if you're angry with him, you can share it, but don't assume you know who He is unless He has shown you. I might say, God I feel you caused my life to be the way it is and if this isn't true, show me the truth...]

I journal about how I honestly feel and then I give my feelings to God and ask that in place of those feelings, he would fill me with light and life (or specifically: peace, joy, happiness, forgiveness, etc.)

Ofcoarse we can't use God or religion to fix our problems, but as I shared, I am almost completely off my meds. The pain, and hopelessness started to diminish every time I asked for God to fill me as I first gave my feelings and thoughts to Him.

God is our Creator and has a heart for all humanity. More specifically, Jesus Christ gave His life, his own blood in exchange for us. God loves us so and all the evil we have experienced and all the sickness can be exchanged for His life. God has healed me already soooo much.

It may be good to find someone to pray for you weekly. Make sure you sense they aren't judgemental, but that they are filled with the love of God and also compassion and empathy.

Also, counseling is crucial if we have not gotten down to the roots of what has caused our depression. Find a good counselor. It takes time to build trust. It also takes courage to face the pain and grief and allow it to surface. Yet, God comes into the picture when we finally get in touch with anger, grief, pain. There is a place for it to go and it does really go away!

I have found that anxiety is fear of facing grief. There are layers of emotions within us. There's a Scripture in Isaiah (the Bible) that says, surely He has bore our griefs and sorrows. He has forgiven our sins and by His stripes we're healed. Also, one of the main reasons Jesus came to earth was to heal the broken-hearted.

My heart aches reading all of these messages. It is real pain, real sorrow.

One more insight. When we have been hurt by someone, or even by life circumstances--Perhaps we faced abuse, neglect, rejection, abandonment, death of a loved one, etc...-- until we forgive, we cannot have access to the life of Christ. The reason behind this is that if we prevent someone from knowing freedom from guilt and pain and sin, how can we expect to recieve mercy when we can't give it. They may never change, but atleast we could let go of the evil done to us.

So, I pray... Jesus, I choose to forgive the one who sexually abused me. They were so wrong and so evil, but I know that you are so good, you can change them too. I release them to be able to come to you and know forgiveness. And now, I ask you would take away all the effects of their evil against me. I give all the shame, pain, self-hatred, etc. to you. Fill me with life.

I wouldn't have shared if I didn't experience healing in my own life. It's been three years and the pain is so small now. Seek and you will find. God says to draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. He will never keep you hanging when you seek Him.

You are so precious. I hope the best for you.
   (Mon Mar 13 23:16 2006)

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Hello, my doctor prescribed me generic Wellbutrin (gg 930 at 100 mg to be exact) after I told him about my anxiety issues. I told him exactly what I feel; I told him that I have more anxiety than I do depression. He wanted to prescribe me Prozac, but I told him that I didn't want to since that plus Paxil made me gain weight. So that's why he precribed me Wellbutrin... I just don't know if it'll do me any good for my anxiety since all I seem to read is that Wellbutrin is just for depression. What do you guys think I should do? I seriously am scared of taking another med because of the weight gain, I'm even scared that this one will even make me gain weight (even though it says that it won't.)   (Sun Mar 12 18:57 2006)

I have been on Wellbutrin XL for over a year now and I love.  I was diagnosed with anxiety disorder a couple of years ago.  I tried Zoloft and Paxil but they both made me feel deppressed, which I wasn't before, and the sexual side effects sucked!  I have not experienced any side effects except some mild weight loss.  This med has been great for me.   (Sat Mar 11 19:43 2006)

I know exactly what you are going through. The Wellbutrin was awesome the first 5 days then someone flippes switch. Depression gone but replaced with irritated, hateful, impatient, argumentative me. Hate it thinking of stopping and switching to effexor xl   (Thu Mar 9 17:57 2006)

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Just to add a note, I'm feeling better, hives gone. And I have noticed a positive change over the last day. Started school yesterday, energy back... all is well, maybe I was just adjusting to the med, after all I haven't been on it for all that long. Now if I could just get my husband to act right =) Good luck to everyone!!   (Wed Mar 8 10:02 2006)

I take effexor & feel great. My daughter takes lexapro & has done good for over 2 years but is now becomming depressed-I am switching her over to wellbutrin. I hope it works.   (Wed Mar 8 2:33 2006)

to respond, you have to do the same thing you did to post a message, just specify your topic and who you are writing to (click add note) I'm going back to my doctor today, I have broken out in hives all over my face. I don't have any suggestions on how to wean off of what you are taking, I'm facing the same problem now. I start my courses in cosmetology tomorrow, what an idiot I'll feel like with huge blotches all over my face. Damn this wellbutrin!!    (Mon Mar 6 14:01 2006)

Hi everyone...I've been taking Wellbutrin 300mg/day for about 2 years now after being diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. My Psychiatrist "piggy-backed" the Wellbutrin with clonazepam(anti-seizure med) and Lamictal(mood stablizer). The Wellbutrin has worked very well for me and the clonazepam/Lamictal combo are actually for my anxiety. I had been on Prozac...NEVER AGAIN!!...and gained 20 lbs. with horrible side effects. To me Prozac is the med from hell. Anyway, found a new doc, got on these new meds and now I'm starting to have panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, night sweats, suicidal thoughts and anger outbursts along with no desire to leave my house or socialize.I like being left completely alone ALL THE TIME. I don't understand why after 2 yrs. these meds suddenly don't work for me. I'm seriously contenplating weaning off of all of these chemicals and just face my life head on as well as eating healthy and getting as much exercise as possible. Any thoughts? Oh, one more thing, for those of you who have been perscribed Wellbutrin simply for anxiety...one of the main side effects IS anxiety and insomnia. Just a little FYI. I want off all of these meds as quickly as possible, but I know i have to wean. My doc has quit his practice and I don't want to start all over again with someone new. HELP!
In closing, how do you respond to people's posts on here. Whenever I click on someone's name, it just shows a big blank screen and says "close". ?????????????????   (Mon Mar 6 13:05 2006)

Thank You for your input and advice, it means a lot that someone out there cares enough to share their experiences with me. As of right now I am undecided-wait it out or stop taking this med, I would like to think that I can control my emotions without taking a pill everyday, some people can, others can't, I guess I'm waiting to see which bracket I fall into. My prayers go out to you (even though I don't know exactly who you are, I'll still pray =) and I hope that you make it through everything ok.    (Sun Mar 5 21:37 2006)

I just went through hell getting off of Wellbutrin. After nearly 3 weeks, I went from the greatest feelings to bipolar episodes, anger, irritation, deeper depression, suicidal thoughts, mania, crying out of control, insomnia, heart palpitations, and on and on. The wierdest thing was that it became hard for me to leave my house...and I never wanted to be around people-AT ALL. And I used to be Ms. Socialite. Now what?

It has caused problems to occur with going to college, getting married and keeping my job. I am on day 12 of withdrawal and the fatigue and dizzy spells are still here! Headaches, anger and aggression too.

I complained and complained to my doctors and they said, "give it more time," and "taper off from 300 to 150." But they really don't understand the sheer horror and craziness I have experienced. I can certainly see how people claim temporary insanity because I have been hysterically crying, angry and ready to drive my car into a wall then 10 minutes later be laughing it up. The people at Glaxo need a REALITY CHECK. That medicine has damn near ruined my life AND killed me. Never again. Get off if you can! Fight your problems and emotions. Get down to what the real issues are with your depression. Taht's what I am doing and I already feel 1000% better than I did on Lexapro or Wellbutrin.   (Sun Mar 5 20:47 2006)

Chuck- if you so happen to return to this message board, let me know how you are tolerating the wellbutrin XL 150... as I said I've went from one extreme to the next-crazy with energy and now depressed, weepy and tired. Let me know how you feel after a few days. I understand everyone tolerates medication differently, but I'm just curious because you are new to it like me, I'm going to wait it out but right now I feel so out of control of my emotions. I've been on WB XL 150 for 12 days now.   (Sun Mar 5 17:05 2006)

It's really hard for anyone reading these postings not to stress and second guess at every turn. I have been on and off depressed and probably slighly bi-polar for years. I have a pattern of going along just fine unmedicated, being slighly depressed, getting those once in a while manic episodes of invulnerability. Then I do something dumb or ignore things like a persomal relaytionship that in turn causes stress and that triggers anxiety and depression. What a set-up!

I have NEVER followed a medication treatment plan for a reasonable period of time. This time my doctor is really pushing we try the Wellbutrin XL 150 MG x1. I'm game. The immdiate effect is a little buzzing in the head and feeling a little over stimulated. But since I am only on Day 3 (lol!) my doctor says wait it out. It's tolerable. I have relationships that I need to fix and things I need to do to get the life I deserve.

So take a pragmatic view to all these postings - it's all subjective. Sone posted something about one med at a time and knowing what it does/doesn't do. I am all for that. I also think that Wellbutrin XL in it's smallest dosage is a hit.

I'm a big guy by the way, 6'4". I wonder if dosage is dependant on body size/weighth?

Peace.   (Sun Mar 5 14:03 2006)

I've been on wellbutrin xl 150 now for several days, as I wrote earlier I was bursting with energy, and feeling great (which I didn't quite understand why I was feeling so good considering I had only been on the med for 5 days. Then just yesterday it was like someone flipped a switch... I'm irritable, I'm constantly getting mad about little stuff, I've been crying when the slightest thing upsets me, WHAT'S GOING ON??? HELP!!! I've heard that this happens... I don't know what to do. Advice would be great!!   (Fri Mar 3 20:34 2006)

Hello all.....I have been on Wellbutrin XL for about 2 months, I took 300mg every day for a month, and then didn't get my perscription filled for about 2 weeks (dumb) and now it's been about a week and I'm noticing the typical side effects but also this little muscle twitching.  It's all over, very small twitches...not noticable to anyone else and very intermittent.  Anyone else have random muscle twitches on just the Wellbutrin?   (Thu Mar 2 18:22 2006)

Me again. I am not aware that wellbutrin is an anxiety drug. usually, benzodiazepines such as xanax or klonopin are prescibed for anxiety. If I was anxious, Wellbutrin would drive me up a wall !!!!     (Thu Mar 2 17:21 2006)

I forgot to tell you, you must wean off paxil slowly, reducing your dosage every 4 days or so, until you are on practically none, then quit. this is a slow process but worth it. Also be aware that wellbutrin is speedlike and I am unable to take the recommended dose of 300 mg per day lest I feel like a speed freak. So I cut back to the 150 mgs and I don't feel as speedy. It's a choice you must make feeling up on wellbutrin or tired and lethargic both mentally and physically on ssris. I prefer the wellbutrin xl. I take 1 mg klonapin before bedtime to help me sleep. You will almost surely need a sleep aid when you begin wellbutrin. At least until your body adjusts.         (Thu Mar 2 17:10 2006)

I also switched to wellbutrin xl 150 mgs per day after years of paxil. I weaned myself off the paxil and found that the "zaps" take a few weeks to completely go away. Actually , if you relax and realize the "zaps" are just a side effect of withdrawel and not permanent, it is tolerable. Just hang in!!!   (Thu Mar 2 16:59 2006)

My doctor put me on Wellbutrin for anxiety.  I was having severe anxiety symptoms prior to being put on medication.  The main symptom I was having from anxiety was severe muscle tension/spasticity.  I was then put on wellbutrin 150mg regular release tablets twice per day.  It worked about 75% with no side effects, so the doctor switched me to Wellbutrin XL 300mg per day.  I have been on the XL version for 2 days now and I'm having increase anxiety symptoms, buzzing through out my body and muscle tension, and I am having trouble sleeping (waking early).  Does anyone think this is just my body adjusting to the XL version.  Also the immediate release version was a generic and the wellbutrin XL is brand.  Also I dont understand why my doctor put me on this for anxiety.  He said that he thinks my anxiety is related to depression.  Any thoughts   (Thu Mar 2 12:47 2006)

I talked to my doctor today and asked her about the constant cleaning and running here and running there, I wanted to know if that was normal ( and I'm not complaining by any means, I like my house clean) She told me that maybe I have so much energy because I'm not depressed anymore. I've heard (like I said in my other post) that the "hyper" feeling does go away after a while.. don't know if that's true. I will stay on the wellbutrin for now,after all it's only been 6 days...I don't tolerate the other 50,000 other meds out there.    (Tue Feb 28 14:38 2006)

Wow, you just described me.  As I am trying to get off of Paxil, my dr prescribed Wellbutrin 150 then 300.  I clean & feel clear headed, but can't sleep or relax.  On too much Paxil, I can't function or have the energy.  My husband was so confused why it was okay to leave his pants on the floor one day and later  I was freaking out about it.  I stopped the Wellbutrin and feel better.  I did not realize that I would feel like I was on speed.   (Mon Feb 27 15:33 2006)

I think that I should stop reading all of these messages and researching online-I'm getting worried. I was given wellbutrin XL 150 for depression and out of nowhere panic attacks that would cause me to break out in hives all over my face, all my husband had to do was look at me and he could tell I was stressing out. The first day I was pretty snappy, second day snappy but lots of energy. I'm a clean freak to begin with, but after taking this med you could eat off of every surface of my home. I'm worried because I hear that the general feeling of well-being goes away, then you are put on 300mg and then you are sick(nausea,dizzyness,increased anxiety). I'm also taking 1 mg of kolonopin when I need to, mostly for rest, although I can't honestly say I have to use it everynight. After I buzz around the house all day taking care of two little ones, I'm pretty zapped. I'm a little confused because I've only been on this med for 5 days and I know how I feel now, what happens in 6 weeks when it's "supposed" to be working? Any insight?   (Mon Feb 27 11:05 2006)

You must get off these drugs but it will take a drastic change in your diet and exercise habits to heal yourself.  I was on antidepressants for over 10 years and Wellbutrin was my last one.  

I finally decieded to get myself into shape so I started exercising, lifting weights, walking, kickboxing, dancing...anything and everything...I was fighting for my life.  

But the most drastic change was in my diet.  NO sugar, flour, or any type of processed or packaged foods, NO artificial sweetners, no TV dinners.  Only fresh vegetables, fruits, high protein meats, fish, herbs, Fish Oils, vitamins...  The diet and exercise change was drastic but let me tell you, the high you get from exercising (lifting weights) far exceeds the drugs! I have never been calmer and more collected in my life.  I feel great for the first time.  The secret is diet and exercise and I mean a strict adherence to diet and exercise.  It has to become a lifestyle.  Only then can you heal.  Only then can you wean yourself off the drugs.  It works but it is not easy at first.  Your body will fight the changes and all your addictions, food allergies and cravings will try to defeat you.  This lifestyle in the beginning is a challange but if you can cross over to a healthy way of living, the sun will appear for the first time in your life!  It is the only way for health and happiness.  I speak the truth!   (Sun Feb 26 7:13 2006)

I started on Wellbutrin back in Jan,300mg a day,I inmediately felt better my energy level was up, I was able to exercise, see my friends and started enjoing life,the only thing is that my anxiety got so bad that I stoped "cold turkey" (BAD choice) for about 3 weeks but my depression became unberable, I just started taking it again 5 days ago,but I have NO energy on the contrary it takes all my energy togoto work I feel like crying for no reasion all day long all I do is work go home cry and sleep (no insomnia for me)I don't feel like doing anything, Iv'e tried to exercise but I feel exhausted all the time and can't seem to get out of the house I'm 43 and just started dating a wonderful person and I'm afraid that if my symptoms don't improve I won't be able to continue seeing him, all i do is work, cry & sleep, the first time around I strating to enjoy life, I started interacting with others as soon as I started on the AD and now I feel like I can't barely make it through the day, do any of you know if in some cases it takes longer for the energy, & the releif on the cryng spells to subside or does this mean that the meds just won't work...I keep hearing that everybody starts feeling energized right away, to the point they can't sleep....has any one experienced what I'm feeling???? Please advice, I can't wait to see some improvement..
   (Wed Feb 22 9:34 2006)

I have had severe depression on and off for 10years and develop anxiety and panic when deeply depressed (never had that w/o the depression) had been on paxil-wt gain, no sex drive but got to the point (with therapy too) to feel good weaned off med for 3years Started to be depressed 1 yr ago after a move and career change and feel worse than ever before started wellbutrin xl and its been 3 weeks and feel more anxious, cant sleep past 4am-Does this go away? Please help (can not add benzos b/c of job)   (Mon Feb 20 9:01 2006)

I had 2 hours of feeling clear, calm, happy earlier today.  I take Wellbutrin xl 450 and yesterday I took an ativan 1mg with it. I felt so good today until I took the cybalta.  Almost immediatly I was aware of a high anxiety,poor focusing, fogginess.  If only I could fiqure this out.  Maybe I am anxious and should just take well and ativan.
I am open to any feedback-similar experiences.  Can I just stop the cymbalta?
It felt so great, but too good to last long.  I wish I knew.   (Sun Feb 19 13:51 2006)